Electrical instrument.



F. W. ROLLER; ELECTRICAL msmumsm. APPLICATION FILED NOV- 23. 1914- Pafented J my 25, I916.

S "HHHIIII HIH s IIIIHIIIII QXMSMQOM:

@FFKQ:

' i i I FRANK W. ROLLER, OF EAS'J, ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ROLLER-SMITH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIO AL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J uly 25, 1916.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK WV. ROLLER, a citizen of the United States. residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Instruments, of which the following is a. full, clear, and exact specification.

This inventioh relates particularly to means for indicating the direction of current How in electric circuits, as well as the absence of current.

In certain cases such as in electric equipment of automobiles, wherein a dynamo is used for charging a storage battery, and where the battery serves to supply current to the different translating devices as desired, either by itself or in conjunction with the charging dynamo, it is desirable to provide an indicator which will Show the ope-rator the general operating condition of the electrical apparatus, that is whether the battery is being charged, discharged.- or neither charging nor discharging, or the disconnected or ofi' condition. In such cases it is unnecessary that the operator should know what particular value of current flow exists, but it desirable that the operator should know whether the battery is being charged, discharged, or neither charging nor discharging. Furthermore. this indication should be a clear and definite indication.

()ne object of this invention is to give a definite indication for indicating flow of current in one direction in a circuit, another definite indication for indicating flow of' current in the reverse direction, and another definite indication for showing the absenceof current and to give 'a marked separation of the different indications and to avoid any indefiniteness or merging of the indirations.

Another object of the invention is to pro-, vidc in an electrical instrument, a simple.

construction and such relationship of the parts as to secure rigidity of construction, durability of the parts and economy in th cost of manufacture. I

An important feature of my invention thus resides in causing the current coil to be in itself simply and conveniently formed; also'in causing the current coil to serve as a support for certain parts. such as the movable clementor face plate. or both as in my preferred form of construction.

Other objects and features of improvement of my invention-will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate a pre tel-red form of embodiment of my invention.

F igure 1 is a face view of the-instrument,

part of the supporting flange being broken away; Fig. 2 is a side view of the instrument showing the casing in a vertical sec t1on; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the w'orkingparts on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the current carrying and supporting element. i

In the form of instrument disclosed, the casing l is shown cylindricaland adapted to be inserted through an opening of a supporting board or plate and to be fastened thereto by the flange fl extending from the casing. The front portion of the casing is inclosed by the glass 3. The working parts of the instrument are removable as a whole from the rear of the casing and held 80 in position Within the casing in any suitable manner, such as by screws passing through the casing and entering holes 4 in a closely fitting cup-shaped metal-base 5. Within the base 5 is insulation 6, such. as hardrubber, 5

and the base is also shown faced with in sulation 7, such as mica; The means for conducting current to and fromthe instrument are shown as threaded rods 8, 9 having nuts 10 for clamping the incoming and outgoing leads. The inner ends of the rods 8, 9 pass through and electrically e gage the current carrying'and supporting e ment of the instrument, the rods having heads 13 which seat against this element. The rods'a're insulated from the base 5 by insulating. bushings as shown. Nuts 12 on the rods seat against washers 11 and serve to clamp all parts firmly together. This currentcarrying and supporting element is made-up to form a single turn or loop from one conducting screw 8 to the other conducting screw 9. Thus in the form shown the upper expanded head 13 is secured and electrically connected to a vertical part 14 from the lower portion of which extend two horizontal arms 15, 15, at the outer ends of w hich is avertical portion 16 from which there inwardly extends a horizontal portion 17, at the inner end of which is a vertically extending ortion 18 to which the heed. 13 of the conducting screw 9 is connected.

' 'l.hus the path of the current is directly from one conducting screw to the other through a single loop or turn of the conducting element of the instrument. It will be seen that the conducting element in its extent between the two screws 8 and 9 has U-shape with an outgoing port and e. returning pert. Aside from there being merely on electrical connection between. the conrlucting screws 8, "I? and the conducting element above clescribed, it will be understood. that the screws 8, 9 by means of the nuts 12 and heads 13 serve to rigidly support the conducting element of the instrument in position The movable element of the instrument is made up, in the form shown of :1 Screwthreaded shaft 19, which curries en shaped permanent magnet 20 the form oil which is Well shown in Fig. at. This its pole-s nearest the face of the instrument of one polarity, indicated by the letters N N in Fig. 4', and the opposite ends of the mug not are of the opposite polarity? as indicated by the letters S, S in Fig. 4:. This is held in fixed position on the shaft 1S) by the nuts Q1. The shaft, 19 also carries an indicating; needle orpointer also the parts for couutenbulsucing the weight of the pointer, these'pclts being; clamped in fixerl position on the shaft 19 by nuts 24;. The movable element is supported by its shaft 19 in adjustable bearing screwsflfi lie ing lock washers The lower bearing screw is carried by the ho ntully. extending portion 17 of the conducting element. The upper.beurins screw 25 supported by a horizontal err sion 27 whi h e tends from the vertical portion 14 or the current carrying clement.v Stops r iio'iiting the maximum deflection of pointer, ulso curriecl by the current carrying el ment.

Qpposite the two inner of the shaped 'oerrucnent are loczitedtwo screws 28,28 of magnetic mat riel these screws being shown extending through the base 5 and insulation 6, as well shown in Fig. A and are urljusteble therein, being "7 locked in any desired position by the nuts 29. The current carrying" element/ in addition to supporting the movable element as aboveilescribed, also supports, in the i run shown, the indicating plate of the instrument. For this purpose the current carrying element is provided with two Q-Ktxlldlll; portions 80, which extcncl from the vertical portion 16. The indicating plate 31 is shown as a circular plate fustenecl to the ends of the arms 30 by the screws 32, the indicating piste being preferably insulate-ii from the current curry ting element. The plate has an outiverrll v extending rounded portion 3? .upou which are marked suitable arrousuncl indications shown in Fig. 1 the neutral position be uruwing's, thus serving to current or oil indication.

through. the instrument seer ing marker; ffifi, the extr eme left-hens position being marked ischarging, {uni the-extreme right-hand position being marlrerl Glicrging. The indicating pointer e tends tl'zrough a slot in. the scale plate small .o i e downwardly brlejectiilg part 22" so as to swing over the rounded portion of the in (Heating; plate. The imlicatiiig plate on ges an inwardly extending circular flange 3 3 V c "1' 3e 01 rue casing seown .h'l lug. 2 01. Mir; give u finished up peurence to the face the instrument.

i l lieu no current passing through the instrument, the movable element will iteketlie position shown in ig; 4, the magnetic alt-- traction between the magnetic elements 28 and the adjacent poles of the permanent magnet 20 tending to hold. the movable element in the mid position, giving the no When current flows through the current carrying element in one direction, a magnetic flux is set ray in. one directiw within single turn o the current carrying element. The peruse nent magnet 20 will then turn in c, corr-- spending (lirection tendi? to place its; i. perullcl with the lines of lorce Within the current carrying element. The tendency 1 the magnetic perts 28 28 to hold the mor able element in mid position is overcome a. comparatively slight flow oil curre through the current carrying elennent c-nsl. soon the permanent magnet mov s slightly from the position shown in Fig. and While it continues to ove thcrefronn the magnetic force of attraction between the permanent magnet and the elements 28 decreases. This permits the movable elemerit to rapidly shift to one side after it once started by the presence of current Thus, upon tl p51 ssege of current in one direction, themov eble element will rapidly shift to its maxi mum deflection in one direction, giving clear and definite indication that current i flowing in that particular direction wli' we may assume is the direction of the clmr, lug current to c battery, the pointer moving to the maximum distance to right of Fig 1. This rapid maximum dc ilection is further assisted by the fact the the pole of the magnet that was preview opposite the clement 28 is shifted, in

(lirectiim assumeri; te vurrl the element giving an increasingforce tercling to swim the magnetic element to its maximum r :tlcctiou because the nearer the pole of magnet 20, which was prei'iouslvoppo, he the element 28", approaches the elenieuu 51, the greater is the attraction between ti l This action thus assists in causing the u able element to give a certain and deiin rapid swing to tlic, maximum deflection, avoiding any uncertainty in the indifrrutu I or oily definite merger of ,inciicctions to the left of Fig. 1, giving an indication of shown.

direction of current which is say, the discharging direction from a battery. The action in shiiting the neutral element in this latter direction will of course, be the same as that above. described with reference to the opposite direction of current. W'henno current passes through the instrument, the movable-element will immediately swing to the mid-or off position by reason of the magnetic elements :28, 28' serving to jointly attract the ends of the permanent magnet.'

It will be noted that the current carrying element of the instrument is a single piece which can be readily stampedor'cut out of sheet metal and then bentto the form It will also be noticed that the element has large current capacity, and by forming a single turn is of the simplest form electrically. Also by reason of its shape and relation to the other parts ofthe instrument, the. necessity of various additional elements is avolded, the current carrying element serving 1n itself to support I the movable element as well as the indicating'plate. Moreover, the relationship of the parts is such that the instrument as a whole may be removed from the rear of the casing without in any way disturbing the relative position of the parts, thus giving the great-- est facility for inspection or for any repairs. Furthermore, by reason of the simplicity of the construction and the novel relationship of the elements, the instrument is rugged and durable in construction. and is well adapted to'withstand,sevcre shocks or jars in service. I

Although I have described one particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that my invention may be embodied in Various forms of construction,'and some features are particularly applicable to various types of electrical instruments, other than to the type particularly described, wherein the indications given are -1nerely :for indicating the direction of current or a-bsence of current.

Having thus described my invention, what I declare as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent of the United statesisz '1. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a base. current carrying means projecting therefrom, a movable element supported and actuated by said current carrying'means, an indicating plate carriedby said current carrying means, the axis of 'said movable element being parallel to said plate, and a. casing supported by said base.

*2. In an electrical instrument, the combination of U -shaped current carrying means, a movable element within the sides of said means and normally extending parallel with to each other extending outwardly from said base, a movable element having its axis perpendlcular'to said portions and centrally located with relation to said portions, and an indicating plate supported by said current carrying element opposite to said base.

4. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a base, acurrent carrying element having oppositely located portions parallel to each other extending outwardly from said base, a'movableelement having its axis perpendicular to said portions and centrally located with relation to said portions, an

indicatingplate carried by an outer portion of said current carrying element, and

a casing supported by said base.

5. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a base, a current carrying element of sheet metal having a supporting portion parallel to and supported on said base, an outwardly extending portion and an inwardly extending portion, a movable element located between said portions and having its axis parallel-to said base, and an indicating element supported by said current carrying element opposite to said base. I 6; In an electrical instrument, the combination of a movable magnetic element, means for actuating said element, and a plurality of stationary magnetic elements adapted to successively cooperate with a portion of said movable element.

7. Inan electrical instrument, the combination of a movable magnetic, element having a plurality of extending portions, means.

for actuating said element, anda stationary magnetic element adaptedto successively cooperate with said extending portions 'of said movable element.

8, In an electrical instrument, thecombi ri' nation of a current carrying element, agmov a able element, means acting upon said m oin. f

able element tending to hold the same in'a certain position but with a decreasing force the more said element is shifted frolm said creases as said movable element is deflected;

from said position. v v 9- In an electrical instrument, the combination of a. current ca rrving element,- a movable element deflected-from its initial position u'pon passageof current through said first named element, magnetic means acting upon said movable elementtending to hold the same inits initial position but with a decreasing force /{the more said element is shifted from said position and also acting upon said movable element tending to shift it farther'from said position with a superposed fOICQf'WlllCll increases as sand element is deflected from said position.

10. in an elect, ical instrument, the combination of a current carrying element, a movable element deflected from its initial posi time upon passage of current through said first named element, said movable element able element, saidinovable element having plurality of extending portions, and magetic means acting upon one of said porions tending to hold said movable element in. its initial position but with a decreasing force the more said movable element is shifted from said position and acting upon another of said portions tending to hold said movable element in a deflected position and-with an increasing force as said movable element is deflected from its initial position.

12. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a current carrying element, a mov able magnetic element affected thereby and having a plurality of extendlng polar portions of the same polarity, and a plurality of stationary magnetic elements cooperating with said extending portions and tending to restrain the same against the effect of current in said current carrying element, each of said polar portions-being adapted to register in succession with said stationary magnetic elements.

In an electrical instrument, the combination of a sheet metal current-carrying element, a movable magnetic element supported Within and by said current carrying element, an indicating plate supported by said current carrying" element in front of said till movable element, and magnetic means tending to hold said movable element in a certain position and located in the rear of said movable element.

1%. in an electrical instrument, the combination of a base, a current carrying element of sheet metal having terminal por tions thereof adjacent to said base, screw threaded rods and clamping nuts fastening said portions to said base and also adapted to serve as conductive connections to said current carrying element, the intermediate portion of said current carrying element e"- tending outwardly perpendicular to 5:1 base and returning inwardly parallel to outwardly extending portion, a mOVtiifili; element located between said portions supported thereby and having its axis par allelto said base and .a poiiiter carried said movable element and projecting the from away from said base.

15. In an electrical instrument, the com- 5 bination of a base, a current carrying element of sheet metal having a supports portion parallel to and supported on base, an outwardly" extending portion and an inwardly extending portion, a movable element located between said portions supported thereby and having its axis parallel to said base, an indicating" plate car-- ried by an outer portion of. said. curr" carrying element, and a pointer carried by said movable element adapted to cooperate with said plate.

16. In an electrical instrument, a condos tor, a movable element in proximity the i a stationary element of magnetic mater. adjacent to said movable element, one r said elements having a plurality of salient parts adapted to register successively with the other element, whereby the movable element will tend to stop at a definite corrc-- or;

sponding position for a given condition o f current in said conductor.

1'7. in an electrical instrument, conductor, amovable element in proximity there to, and magnetic means acting upon movable elementtending to hold the 9.1112 in any one of three definite positions cor spondingly relatively to the condition said conductor according it is carryi current in one direction, or is currer or is carrying current in the (mp0s. tion.

plurality of stationary'magnetic with which said polar portions are adapted to register successively. I;

19. in an electrical instrument, the com bination of a sheet metal current carry element having an utgoing part and a return part, a movable magnetic element ported by said current carrying element and located between the said parts thereof, and magnetic means tending to hold said mov able element in any one of a limited plural number of definite positions.

20. In, an electrical instrument, the cont i bination of a sheet metal conductor upon itself so as to have an outgoing a a" returning portion, a movable magnetic element supported between said portions, :1. base'to which said conductor is attached Inagnetie means mounted on said base and adapted to. register with said movable magnet-i0 element so as to one of a limited plural number positions.

21. In an electrical instrument, the combination of a base, a conductor attached thereto with an outgoing part and a returning part, a movable magnetic element supported between said parts and means supported on saidbaseto register with said movable magnetic element and hold the hold the latter in any same in any one of a limited plural number of definite positions. D

22. Inan electrical instrument, a conducof definite corresponding tor, movable magnetic means, stationary magnetic means adjacent to said movable means, of salient parts adapted to register successivelywith the other means whereby the movable means will tend to stop at a definite tion of current in said conductor.

In testimony whereof I'afl'ix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses i one of said means having a plurality posltion for a given c0n0ii 15 mm. ROLLER. 

